Quirkily shaped, fun to make, useful as a pincushion, or simply colourful and decorative, let us introduce you to the biscornu!

“Biscornu” is a French word meaning “irregular, strange shape” or “misshapen”, but in reality there is an undeniable pleasing symmetry to the needlecraft version. The clever construction means there are eight points or angles, where the edge of the biscornu changes direction. You can see this in the image on the right, at the point where the bell is attached.

They are constructed from two identically sized, square pieces of stitching. The fabric you use could be linen, evenweave, aida or canvas – it works equally well on all, but they absolutely must be the same size, or it really won’t work! This includes the count of the fabric – so if you used 14 count aida to cross stitch your design for the top, be sure not to use 16 count for the bottom or you will be unable to complete (or maybe even begin!) the construction process. If you are using linen or evenweave, this point extends to how many threads you are stitching over – if the top is over two threads, make sure you stitch the bottom over two as well.

The stitching could be full coverage, so that no fabric at all is showing (as above), or a cross stitch pattern which allows your fabric choice (or choices, if you have a different fabric for the top and botton) to show as well as your stitching. A pattern which repeats four times, so that the corners are identical works very well as it mirrors the symmetrical design of the biscornu, highlighting its intricate, interesting shape.

The bottom is often not as intricately stitched as the top, but it is very attractive if the corner sections of the bottom piece are stitched, as these parts will show once you have completed your construction.

Having completed your stitching (and double-triple checked they are exactly the same size!), a row of backstitch is stitched around the outer edge of both parts. Here, I always like to do one more check to ensure I have the same number of stitches in my backstitch border on each piece – just in case! Your pattern can have an even or an odd number of stitches, that isn’t a problem, but it must have the same number on each piece and be an exact square.

Trimming away excess fabric at this point will make what’s to come next easier to achieve. You’re going to need to fold under and hold the fabric outside of your backstitched border, and this will be much less of a struggle if you have just a little fabric to manipulate and keep under control! And next, the secret to the biscornu’s quirky shape! Instead of stitching the two pieces together corner to corner, the top is offset, so the corner of the bottom piece is matched to the exact mid-point on one of the top’s sides. Then, let construction commence! You begin to whipstitch the two lines of backstitch together (don’t sew through the fabric), all around the edge, inserting stuffing as you go. The unique shape is achieved by the way that corners and mid-points of your squares are joined, giving the distinctive zig-zag line around the edge of your biscornu, allowing the corners of the top and bottom to show.

You can really make your biscornu highly decorated and distinctive, perhaps by adding beads to the top and bottom design, or sewing on small bells or charms as you reach each corner during construction.

Traditionally, the biscornu is completed with a button or bead on each side, sewn through the centre and pulled tightly to create an indentation on both sides. Strong thread is very useful for this part, you don’t want your thread breaking and your carefully chosen button or bead pinging off across the room, never to be seen again!

It is very useful to have stitched either a centre design, or simply added one cross stitch in the very centre, to enable you to ensure you sew your bead or button in a straight line through the centre. I don’t really know what happens if you are at an angle, but I imagine it increases the wonkiness of the biscornu, perhaps in a way you weren’t hoping for!

Biscornus make really interesting and charming ornaments, or can be put to good use as pincushions. And if you tucked in a loop of ribbon or cording as you whipstitched the two sides together, you could use a tiny one as a scissor fob or a charming, handmade ornament for your Christmas tree. What I can say for sure is, they are fun to make!